pugnacity

[ puhg-nas-i-tee ]

noun

readiness to quarrel or fight; combative or argumentative character:She was always defending him against the fallout from his pugnacity and lack of social graces.

Origin of pugnacity

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin pugnācitās “combativeness,” equivalent to pugnāci-, stem of pugnāx “combative” + -tās -ty²

For all his pugnacity, Hannity rarely punches to the right, preferring to praise anybody wrapped in the cloak of MAGA.
Talking With Tucker Carlson, the Most Powerful Conservative in America | Charlotte Alter | July 15, 2021 | Time
“I Am Every Woman,” it said, and Tehelka was widely lauded for its pugnacity.
The Fall of India’s Conscience | Tunku Varadarajan | November 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
He is a not just a grinning creationist, he is also willing to disdain Darwinism with a sinister pugnacity.
Mike Huckabee's End Times | John Batchelor | December 5, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
There is Biercean pugnacity in these words; the author flings down the gauntlet with a confident gesture.
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce | Ambrose Bierce
But pugnacity and perseverance are not necessarily connected with intellectual genius.
The Science of Human Nature | William Henry Pyle

This bird, besides its noted pugnacity, is an arrant rogue, and invariably takes advantage of the House Martin's labour.
Birds' Nests, Eggs and Egg-Collecting | Richard Kearton
Incidentally, also, he made good his boasts and held the fort with equal pugnacity from the savages.
Historic Highways of America (Vol. 5) | Archer Butler Hulbert
The majority of Ueberhells were accused of presumption and arrogance, of opiniativeness and pugnacity.
Complete Short Works | Georg Ebers

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